- The Covid-19 infection rate in Israel has doubled in the past two weeks.
- Despite the early success of Pfizer’s vaccine, the country’s cases are still surging.
- The protection provided by vaccines may diminish over time, especially for the elderly.
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Israel used to be the global leader in the containment of the coronavirus One of the highest daily infection rates in the world.
Today, nearly one out of every 150 people in Israel is infected with this virus. On average, nearly 7,500 people are infected every day-twice the infection rate two weeks ago.
The new surge keeps Israeli leaders scrambling Reinstate the mask-wearing rule and restrict gatherings Because the case rate is close to the worst days of last winter.
Globally, scientists are studying the infection rate of Israeli vaccination to understand how the vaccine remains stable over time.The results of the survey were not encouraging and triggered a wave of Booster panic all around the world.
Facing Delta, Israel’s immunity declines
Covid 80% of Israeli adults are vaccinated against Covid-19, accounting for 58% of the country’s relatively young population. NPR.
By March 25, more than half of the population had been fully vaccinated, and for a while, the country seemed to be moving towards Herd immunity.
But Israel’s rising case rate may indicate that the protection provided by vaccines has diminished over time.Health officials and Pfizer scientists noticed that the protection failed Six to eight months after the second shot, this was timed before and after the Northern Hemisphere Summer Delta variant arrived in Israel.
Half of severe Covid patients People currently hospitalized in Israel were vaccinated five months or more ago. Most of them are over 60 years old and have comorbidities that put them at a higher risk of serious illness.
Boosters can strengthen the protection of the elderly population
While re-encouraging the wearing of masks and restricting gatherings, Israel is fighting the virus in the following ways Provide booster injections for the elderly.
Israel launched its booster campaign in early August. Adults 60 and older who completed the vaccine course at least five months ago are now eligible to receive the third Pfizer BioNTech injection.
Israel’s move to provide boosters set off a wave Rich countries do the same. The United States, Britain, Germany and France are all preparing or approving the start Launch booster in September.
In most groups, the vaccine is still effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death caused by Covid-19, so some experts think it makes more sense Focus on vaccinating people who have not been vaccinated.
